Year 9, Day 71: Jeremiah 18

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Jeremiah and the potter.  This is a classic story within the scope of the major prophet.  God tells Jeremiah to go and visit the potter.  While he’s there, the potter sees that his creation isn’t working out.  The potter changes course midstream and shapes it into something else.

The plan may change, but there is an important distinction to make.  The plan changes, but the clay is still used.  The plan changes, and the clay is still valued.  It isn’t like the clay is thrown out, discarded, or banished.  The plan simply changes, that’s all.  The clay becomes a different shape than the potter intended.

God says the same thing to the Hebrew people.  They have rebelled, and God changes how he plans to use them.  God doesn’t want to cast them away, He simply wants to reshape them as a people.  All he asks is that they repent. They simply need to come back to Him.  He can still reshape them and use them.  We know, unfortunately, that this doesn’t happen until 70 years of captivity.

Interestingly enough, God’s message isn’t received well.  The people mock Jeremiah.  The plot against him.  They plan evil against him.  The aren’t interested in being God’s clay and they certainly aren’t interested in being reshaped.

Jeremiah hears the muttering and feels the breath coming down his neck.  He turns to God and asks for protection.  In fact, He asks God to uphold him and punish those who plan evil against him.

Remember when God asked Jeremiah to not pray for the people?  Jeremiah now knows why.  Jeremiah understands the heart of the people.  He knows that while he cannot predict the future, he can see into the heart of the people.  They will not repent.  They will not listen.  They will not change.  We end this chapter with Jeremiah asking God to refrain from forgiving the people.

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